Loose-leaf binder



Feb. 16, 1943. J. SCHADE LOOSE LEAF BINDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN 5015mm ,0 4%

, ATTOR EYS Filed April 10, 1941 Feb. 16, 1-943. A D

' LOOSE LEAF BINDER Fild April 10, 1941 v s Sheets-Sheet :s

INVENTOR JamvJcHm BY Mo EYS Patented Feb. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES V PATENT OFFICE LOOSE-LEAF BINDER John Schade, Holyoke, Mass, assignor to National Blank Book Company, Holyoke, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 10, 1941, Serial No. 387,902 11 Claims. (01. 12924) This invention relates to an improved loose leaf binder particularly of the type used to hold loose leaf sheets of the visible index bookkeeping kind. Examples of the type of structure will be found in my previous Patents 2,141,410 of Decemher 27, 1938, and 2,181,769 of November 28, 1939. 3

In the use of such binders the bookkeeper, in addition to inserting new sheets, frequently wants to shift some of the visible index sheets longitudinally of the book to change, for instance,

binder for the purpose described in which there are fewer working parts. An additional object is to provide a binder for the purpose described which includes a flat back portion to which are pivoted covers with the prong mechanism so arranged that there is no relative shifting between the covers and back portion during any of the various shifting operations of the prongs. Another object is to provide a binder having a new and improved cycle of operation which results in very smooth action.

The way in which I have obtained the foregoing and many other additional objects will be apparent from a reading of the specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the binder with the covers opened but broken away and showing the position of the binder parts when the book is in normal writing position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the prong sets separated for convenient insertion of additional sheets;

Fig. 3 is a view of the binder of Fig. 2, showing how the prong sets may be offset longitudinally;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the prong sets more fully overlapped in their offset position;

Figs. 5v to 8 are end elevations partly in section of Figs. 1 to 4 respectively;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view substantially on line l0l0 of Fi 1.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 5, and 9, the binder consists generally of a pair of prong sets In and I I mounted on a flat backmember M to which is will be explained in further detail, an operating handle 20 carried at one end of the back, i4 is adapted to be manipulated to change both the overlapped and the offset relation of the free ends of the complementary pairs of prongs of the prong sets l0 and II, and preferably to do this in the cycle represented by the successive positions of the prongs in Figs. 1 to 4 respectively, and the companion views Figs. 5 to 8.

The purpose of this cycle is to aid the bookkeeper in rearranging the visible index sheets. Each sheet has a width which is considerably less than the height of the back portion and is provided with a continuous series of binding holes along thisv narrow edge. The spacing between successive binding holes is equal to the spacing between one of the prongs of prong set It) and the nearest adjacent prong of prong set II. Thus each sheet may be located on the prong sets l0 and II in a plurality of positions between the top and bottom of the back by threading the prongs through a different series of binding holes for each position. During bookkeeping, a pack of these sheets is carried on the prongs and is arranged in a series of superposed groups. These groups may be made up of one or of a plurality 'of sheets and each group is offset relative the preceding group by threading this group onto the prongs through a different series of binding holes than the other groups. Referring to Fig. 1, one arrangement might be to have a pack of these sheets carried on the prong set II with the uppermost group in the pack threaded on the prongs near the top of the back and the succeeding and underlying groups carried by the prongs so that they each are offset downwardly of the back the distance between binding holes as regards the preceding group. As an example, there might be ten groups starting with the uppermost and numbered 1 to 10. One problem encountered by the user is to insert a new group between existing groups, let us say between group 5 and group 6. The binder mechanism provides for handling this problem in the following way. With the book positioned as in Fig. 1, groups 1 to 5 are flopped over onto cover IS with groups 6 t0 lfl remaining on cover I8, thus placing groups 1 to 5 entirely on prong set It. Handle pivoted, as by hinges l5, covers l6 and i8. As H 20 is then moved through the positions of Figs. 2 and 3 tothe position of Fig. 4 and groups 1 to 5 flopped back onto cover I8. Upon completion of this'operation it will be found that there now exists an empty space between group 5 and group The reason for this'is that by moving the handle 20 as stated, prong set I!) which carried groups 1 to 5 has been moved upwardly of the back the distance between successive binding holes by means to be explained in detail. With the pack entirely carried by prong set II, the handle is then moved back to the position of Fig. 1 so that the prong sets are in the normal position. To insert the new group in the space between group 5 and group 6, groups 1 to 5 are again flopped over on cover I6 and the handle 20 moved to the position of Fig. 2 which, as will be explained, further separates the free ends of the prongs of sets Ill and II without offsetting them. The new group is then inserted in its is now turned to the position of Fig.' 1 the book is ready for use with the new group in proper position relative to the top and bottom.

of the cover.

on an arc around pivot 59 as a center. Therefore, as will be apparent from comparison of Figs. 1 to 4, when the lever 48 is swung around pivot 50 between the ends of slot 52, cam 4! will be shifted when the follower is passing along the straight portion 44, but will remain stationary when the follower is moving along the arcuate portion 45, the cam thus having an intermittent motion as the follower pin 5| is moved between the ends of slot 52.

This motion of cam 4| is used to shift prong plate to offset the prong sets in timed relation to changes in the overlapped relation of the free ends of these sets. For this purpose, prong plate 25 is provided with a lug 60 (see Figs. 1 and 9) I which extends downwardly through an opening in This illustrates but one general use which is made of this type mechanism, and for the purposes of this disclosure it is believed that the foregoing explanation of the operation to be performed will be suflicient. A further description may be found in my Patent 2,141,410, referred to above.

As is shown in Figs. 1 and 5 to 9, prong sets I0 and II are carried along one edge of each of the prong plates 25 and 2 5, which in turn are mounted on carrier plates 2'1 and 28. Prong plate 26 is fixedly mounted as by rivets 29 to carrier plate 28, while prong plate 25 is provided with slots 30, through which pass rivets 3i fastened to carrier plate 21, and having enlarged heads overlying the prong plate. In this way prong plate 25 may be shifted longitudinally of its carrier plate 2! to change the offset relation of the complementary prong pairs of the respective prong plates 25 and 25.

The two carrier plates 2'! and 28 are provided With hinge eyes along their adjacent edges through which a pintle 34 is passed, forming the piano hinge 35. Along the outside edge, carrier plate 27 is provided with hinge eyes 33 which are mounted on the same pintle as the hinge I5 .pivotally connecting the back I4 andcover I5.

Carrier plate 28, on the other hand, is provided with a pair of short journal pins 31 extending beyond the top and bottom edges of the plate and substantially in line with the outside edge thereof. These journals are each received in a slot 38 in an inverted U-shaped end member 39 formed preferably integrally with the back portion 14 and at each end thereof. With the above arrangement of carrier plates, if the pintle 34 is swung back and forth, or up and down in Fig. 6,

During this operation, the journal pins 31 on plate 28 slide along the slots 38 and limit the separation of the free ends of the prongs by abutting the end of these slots.

Pivoted at one end to back member l4, see Fig.

3, as by rivet 40 and beneath the carrier plates is a positive action cam 4| provided with a slot 42 at its unpivoted end, (see Fig. 1). Intermediate its ends this cam has formed therein a cam slot consisting of a long, straight portion 44 joined to,

3, both slot 52 and arcuate portion 45 are struck Overlying cam 4| is' carrier plate 2'! and engages slot 42 at the unpivoted end of the cam. By this means the prong plate 25 is shifted between the offset positions of Figs. 2 and 3.

At its unpivoted end, lever 48 is provided with an upturned end 52, in which is freely journaled one end of a bearing member 53. This bearing member, see Fig. 10, has its opposite end formed as a head 64 lying between the walls of one end member 39, the shank of the bearing member extending through a slot 55 cut in the wall of the end member parallel to slot 38 previously de scribed. Carried on bearing member 63, see Fig. l, is handle 20 which is also pivoted on a short pin 65 inserted into the end eyes of hinge 35 and abutting pintle 34 which is foreshortened as shown. A roller 61 is likewise journaled on bearing 63 and serves to support the handle on the back l4 when this handle is being pivoted around pivot 55, see Fig. 10. By this arrangement, as will be explained in more detail, both the operation of separating the free ends of the prong sets and changing their offset relation from the position of Fig. 1 may be controlled by handle 20. Inasmuch as the usual position in which the book is used when sheets are not being rearranged is that of Fig. l, mechanism as follows is preferably provided to releasably latch the handle when the prong sets are in this normal position. One end of a spring member '15 is secured to handle 20 as by rivets l6 and its opposite end straddles pintle 34 and presses against the end eye of hinge 35, the result being to urge the handle 20 towards the end member 35. Handle 25 as shown, is provided with an offset lug I! and when the book is in the'position of Fig. 1, this lug enters a suitable opening '18 formed in member 39, thus releasably locking the handle in position. Pressure on the end of the handle will shift the lug T1 out of the opening 78 and the handle can then be moved freely in the sequence shown by Figs. 1 to 8.

The cycle of operation of the prongs during these movements of the handle is as follows: As the handle is turned from the position of Figs. 1 and 5 to that of Figs. 2 and 6, it pivots around bearing member 63, and because of the connection at 65 between the hinge 35 for the carrier plates 21 and 28 and the handle, the free ends of the prong sets are separated. The amount of this separation is limited by abutment of journal pins 31 on carrier plate 28 with the end of slots 38, and as will be plain from the drawings, is sufficient so that the free ends of the opposite prong sets are separated widely enough to permit the insertion of new sheets. The amount of separation of the free ends in this position may obviously be varied by changing the dimensions of the parts, the only requirement being that the free ends of the prong sets be separated far enough for insertion of sheets. I

Further turning of the handle from the position of Figs. 2 and 6 to Figs. 3 and 7 results in the following: Because of the abutment of journal pins 31 with the end of slots 38, the handle 20 now rotates around pivot 66, causing bearing member 63 to slide along slot 65. During this sliding motion, the bearing member carries the end 62 of lever 48 with it and thereby pivots this lever around pivot 50. This moves follower pin 5| along the straight portion 44 of the slot in cam 4| to the end of this straight portion which, as described before, shifts the prong sets to their offset position. During this sliding motion, although the handle 20 is turning about pivot 66, the pivot itself is moving first upward slightly and then to a greater extent downwardly (compare Figs. 6 and 7). This is due to the fact that While the handle is pivoting about 66,

the bearing member 63 is moving horizontally in slot 65 from a position slightly to one side of a vertical line through 66 to a point considerably displaced to the opposite side of the Vertical line.

This slight upward movement of pivot 66 tends to lift hinge 35 to further separate the free ends of the prong sets by springing the journal pins 31 laterally against the end of slots 38. This lifting motion is very slight and perfectly sufficient tolerance is provided between the parts so that there is no noticeable further separation'of the free ends of the prongs. However, during the downward motion of the pivot 66, the free ends of the prong sets are moved towards each other until, when the follower pin 5| reaches the I end of the straight part 44 of the slot in cam 4|, the free ends of the prongs of the prong sets are just beginning to overlap, but the ends of the prong sets will be still free from the index sheets on the opposite sets.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the motion of the prong sets from the position of Fig. 2, where the free ends of the prongs are separated for insertion of sheets, to that of Fig. 3 where the free ends are just overlapped, is an offsetting motion in combination with a motion in a direction to overlap the free ends slightly. However, during this motion, the free ends are at all times separated sufliciently so that there is no possibility of the free ends of the prongs of one plate becoming engaged with sheets carried by the prongs of the other plate.

The final operation of the shifting cycle consists in moving the handle from the position of Fig. '3 to that of Fig. 4. During this motion, the handle still pivots around 66 and the bearing member 63 moves to the end of slot 65, which results in further lowering of pivot 66. The result is that the free ends of the prong sets are overlapped, as shown in Fig. 4, and now index sheets may be easily shifted from one prong set ID to the other prong set During this last movement of the bearing member 63, the lever 48 is further rotated around pivot 56 but the follower pin 5| now rides in the arcuate portion 45 of the slot in cam 4| and there is no further offsetting of the prong sets.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the complete cycle in its preferred form consists of, first, a relative change in the overlapped relation to a position of wide separation of the free ends of the prongs without offsetting, in which position a new sheet may be inserted. Then the prong sets are offset and at the same time the free ends moved towards each other to a slightly overlapped position where the ends of the respective sets are free from the index sheets on the opposite sets. Finally the ends of the prongs are further overlapped without any ofisetting mo- 5 tion. The prongs thus have two offset positions and three relativepositions in overlapping directionthat is, fully overlapped for turning sheets as in Fig. 1; overlapped as in Fig. 3 where the free ends of the prong sets are just free of the 10 index sheets and where normally sheets are not turned; and then a widely separated position as in Fig. 2 where new sheets may be inserted, and in addition, the offset position of Figs. 1 and 2 and the offset position of Figs. 3 and 4.

However, while the preferred cycle is that described above, certain variations may be made in the arrangement of the parts without going beyond the scope of the invention, and I therefore do not intend to limit my invention to the exact form shown. Thus, as will be clear from the disclosure, while in the preferred form of cycle, the free ends of the prong sets are first moved wholly transversely to a separated position and then are moved in a combination offset- 5 ting and overlapping motion to the slightly overlapped position of Fig. 3, the first part of'this cycle, that is the movement in a direction to separate the ends of the prong sets, needs to proceed in a purely transverse direction only far enough so that the tips of each prong set will not interfere with a normal capacity of index sheets carried on the other prong set. This relation of the prong sets, when they are being moved to the separated position of Fig. 2, from the position of Fig. 1, occurs when their overlapped position is the same as that of the prongs in Fig. 3. This is represented by the dotted prong outlines H), H in Fig. 2. As long as the free ends of the prongs are first separated in a purely transverse direction at least to this dotted position, the change in offset position can be combined in any suitable manner with the'further movement to the separated position. Thus, the arrival at the separated position might occur midway of the change in offset position or when the shift to offset position is completed.

It will also be plain that while I have shown the binder constructed with carrier plate 21 pivoted to the edge of the back l4 and the carrier plate 28 sliding towards and away from plate 21, during change in the overlapped relation of the free ends of the prongs, it would be a simple matter, if desired, to pivot plate 28 to the back and arrange to have carrier plate-21 slide. Under these circumstances the prong plate 26 would be slidably mounted on carrier plate 28 and prong plate 25 would be fixedly mounted on carrier plate 21. Also, the handle 26, lever 48, and cam 4| would be arranged in a position complementary to that in which they are now located.

One feature of the binder which aids in accomplishing the purposes set out previously is the provision ofthe cycle of compound offsetting and overlapping of the prongs in going from the position of Fig, 2 to that of Fig. 3. In previous constructions, to my knowledge, the construction has been such that when the prongs are separated for the insertion of sheets as in Fig. 2, under the action of positive cam mechanism, it has been necessary after new sheets have been inserted, to move the prong plates towards an overlapping position similar to their position in Fig. 3 before offsetting could be done. By my present arrangement there is the compound motion mentioned which not only makes for fewer operations but also results in a smooth-- or action for the book.

Another feature is that the prong sets are moved into and out of their ofiset position for changing the position of sheets and into their separated position for inserting new sheets, all by a single movement of a single operating lever in a single plane. There is no other operation necessary to put the book in any of its operatpositions than the mere turning of a handle which is a simple one-hand job. Furthermore, the operating handle lies wholly within the top and bottom edges of the book during the entire shifting operation with the result that there is no possibility of inconvenience of operation due to a protruding handle interfering with stacked sheets which may be lying near the book during its use.

A further important feature is that with the present arrangement of carrier plates there is no relative motion between the back [4 and covers it and i8 during shifting, as with my previous structures. The back portion is fiat and the covers lie fiat on either side. All the shifting mechanism operates relative to the back in a novel and simple manner, resulting in a new and useful shift binder mechanism.

I claim:

1. In a binder construction for visible index sheets, two sets of oppositely disposed prongs, means to support the prongs and constrain them for relative movement between a plurality of offset positions, additional means to support the prongs and constrain them for movement between a fully overlapped position, a slightly overlapped position Where the ends of the prongs are free of index sheets and a widely separated position where ends" of the prongs are separated for the insertion or removal of index sheets, a handle shiftable between a fiirst' and a second position, mechanism coupling said handle and both means for operation of the means by the handle, said mechanism being arranged to cause, on movement of said handle from the first to second position, a cyclic change of the overlapping and oiiset relation of the prong sets, said cycle consisting of a change in overlapped relation from the fully overlapped position to the widely separated position, a change from one offset position to another in combination with achange from widely separated to a slightly overlapped position and finally a change from slightly overlapped to a greater overlapped possition.

2; In a binder construction for visible index sheets, a flat back portion, cover portions hinged to the back portion, two sets of oppositely disposed prongs, means to support the prongs and constrain them for movement relative tothe back and to each other between a plurality of ofiset positions, additional means tosupport the prongs and constrain them for movement relative to the back portion and to each other between a fully overlapped position, a slightly overlapped position where the ends of the prongs are free of index sheets, and a widely separated position where the prong ends are separated'for the insertion or removal of sheets, a handle shiftable between a first and a second position, mechanism coupling said handle and means for operation of the means by the handle, said mechanism being arranged to cause on movement of said handle from the first to the second position a cyclic change of the overlapping and ofiset' relation of the prong sets, said cycle-consisting of a change in overlapped relation from the fully overlapped position to the widely separated position, a change from one offset position to another offset position in combination with a change from the widely separated to a slightly overlapped position and finally a change from the slightly overlapped to a greater overlapped position.

3. In a binder construction for visible index sheets, a pair of prong plates, prong sets carried by each prong plate with the prongs of the respective prong sets arranged in offset and normally overlapped relation, a back plate, a first hinge means joining the prong plates together along their inner longitudinal adjacent edges, a second hinge means joining the outside longitudinal edge of one of the prong plates to the back plate, a slida-bl'e connection between the longitudinal outside edge of the other prong plate and the back plate, means supporting the prong sets and constraining them for relative shifting to change the offset relation of the prong sets, mechanism for moving said last named means, including an oscillatable member, a handle pivoted at one end to said oscillatable member and intermediate its ends to said first hinge means, said oscillatable member and handle being arranged to cause said handle to be turned first about the pivot on said oscillatable member to change the overlapped relation of the prong sets and then about the pivot on said hinge means to change the onset relation of the prong sets.

4; In abinder construction for visible index sheets, a pair of prong plates, prong sets carried by each prong plate with the prongs of the respective prong sets arranged in offset and normally overlapped relation, a back plate, a first hinge means joining the prong plates together along their inner longitudinal adjacent edges, a second hinge means joining the outside longitudina-ledge of one of the prong plates to the back plate,- a sl-idable connection'between the'longitudinal outside edge of the other prong plate and the back plate, means supporting the prong sets and constraining them for relative shifting to change the offset relation of the prong sets, mechanism for moving said last named means including an oscillatable member, a handle pivoted at oneiend to said oscillatable' member and intermediate its ends to said first hinge means,

about the pivot on saidosjcillatab-le member to change only the overlapped relation of the prong sets and then about the pivot on said hinge means to change first the offset relation ofthe prong sets and then-only the overlapped'relation of the prong sets.

5; Ina binder construction for Visible index sheets, a back plate, apair of prong-carrying -plates-'with= prong sets of the respective plates carried in ofiset' and normally overlapping relation; means supporting the prong plates on the backplate to-permit changing the overlapped relationof the prong sets including, a pivotal connection between the prongplates, a pivotal connectionbetweenthe'back plateand one prong plate. and-a-slidingconnection between the back plateand the other prong plate, means on the prong plates to permit relative sliding motion betweenthe respective prong sets for changing the ofiset relation of the prongsets, mechanism for operating said last-named means, a handle journaled at spacedpoin-ts to the pivotal conand then about the pivotal connection journal to change the offset relation of the prong sets.

6. In a binder construction for visible index sheets, two sets of oppositely disposed prongs, a first means to support the prongs and constrain them for relative movement between a plurality of offset positions, a second means to support the prongs and constrain them for movement between a plurality of overlapped positions, a handle pivotally connected respectively to said two means at spaced points, said means and handle being arranged to cause said handle to be first turned on the pivot connecting said handle and first means to change the overlapped relation of the prong sets and then to be turned on the pivot connecting said handle and second means to change the ofiset relation of the prong sets.

'7. In a binder construction for visible index sheets, two sets of oppositely disposed prongs, a first means to support the prongs and constrain them for relative movement between a plurality of offset positions, a second means to support the prongs and constrain them for movement between a plurality of overlapped positions, a handle pivotally connected respectively to said two means at spaced points, said means and handle being arranged to cause said handle to be first turned on the pivot between the first means and the handle to change only the overlapped relation of the prong sets and then to be turned on the pivot between the second means and the handle to change the offset relation of the prong sets and then change only the overlapped relation of the prong sets.

8. In a binder construction for visible index sheets, a flat back plate, a pair of carrier plates superposed over said back plates in adjacent relation, hinge means connecting the adjacent inner edges of the carrier plates, a pivotal connection between the outer edge of one carrier plate and the back plate, a sliding connection between the outer edge of the other carrier plate and the back plate, prong-carrying plates mounted on said carrier plates with the prongs of the respective plates in offset and overlapped relation, one of said prong plates being fixedly mounted on its carrier plate and the other prong plate being slidably mounted on its carrier plate to change the offset relation of the respective prong sets, a cam plate having a cam slot and pivotally mounted at one end on said back plate and connected at its opposite end to said slidably mounted prong plate, a cam lever pivotally mounted at one end to said back plate, a follower on said cam lever intermediate the ends of said lever and engaging the slot in said cam plate, said lever, follower, and cam slot being arranged to oscillate said cam plate around its pivot as the lever is oscillated, a handle movable between a first and a second position and pivotally connected at one end to the unpivoted end of the cam lever, and intermediate its ends to the pivot for the hinge means between said carrier plates, said lever and handle being arranged to cause, on movement of the handle from the first to the second position, a cyclic operation of change of overlapped and offset relation of the prong sets, said cycle consisting of first a change in one direction in overlapped relation only, then a change in ofiset relation and finally a change in the opposite direction of the overlapped relation only.

9. In a binder construction for visible index sheets, a back portion, two sets of oppositely disposed prongs, means to support the prongs on said back part and constrain them for relative movement between a plurality of offset positions, additional means to support the prongs on the back portion and constrain them for movement between a plurality of relatively overlapped positions, a handle mounted at one end of said back portion and movable between a plurality of positions in all of which the handle is located wholly between the upper and lower edges of the back portion, mechanism connecting said handle and both means to cause on movement of said handle to its various positions a cyclic change in the overlapped and offset positions of the prongs, said cycle including first only a change in one direction of the overlapped position, then a change in the offset position, and finally only a change in the overlapped position in the opposite direction.

10. In a binder construction for visible index sheets, a back support, a pair of plates hinged together, the free edge of one plate being hinged to one edge of the back support while the free edge of the other hinged plate is free to move in guides transversely of the back support, a set of prongs mounted on each of said hinged plates normally in overlapped relation, at least one set being movable longitudinally, and actuating means for swinging the hinged plates to carry the prongs out of overlapped relation and, While out, move one set longitudinally and bring the sets in overlapped relation in their changed position, said actuating means by reverse operation returning all parts to their original position.

11. In a binder construction for visible index sheets, two sets of oppositely disposed prongs, means to support the prongs and constrain them for relative movement between a plurality of offset positions, additional means to support the prongs and constrain themfor movement between a fully overlapped position, a slightly overlapped position where the ends of the prongs are free of index sheets and. a widely separated posi' tion where the ends of the prongs are separated for the insertion or removal of index sheets, a shiftable handle, mechanism coupling said handle and both means for operation of the means by the handle, said mechanism being arranged to cause, on a predetermined movement of said handle, a cyclic change of the overlapping and offset relation of the prong sets, said cyclic change consisting of a change in overlapped relation from the fully overlapped position to a position where the ends of one set of prongs are free to clear the paper pack on the other set of prongs, so the first set may be moved afterwards in an oifsetting direction, a change from such last-named condition of the prongs to a widely separated and to a different offset position and a change from the widely separated to a slightly overlapped position and finally a change from slightly overlapped to a greater overlapped position,

JOHN SCHADE. 

